Spotify has introduced an exciting new feature called “Jam”, a fascinating new tool that seeks to improve the experience of sharing music with friends and other groups.
Users can engage in real-time listening sessions with one another thanks to this inventive feature, fostering relationships via the love of music together.
“Jam” expands on some of Spotify’s well-liked social tools, like Blend and Collaborative Playlists, by making use of the platform’s personalisation technologies to promote group listening.
Groups can engage in synchronised and collaborative music listening with “Jam” which includes shared queue control, tailored song recommendations for the group, and the option to see who added each item to the playlist.
Here’s how “Jam” functions
1. A Jam session is started by a Premium user by choosing a playlist or song to play.
2. A “Start a Jam” button becomes accessible by clicking the Connect button at the bottom of the screen or using the three-dot menu within a playlist, album, or song.
3. The user has the option of playing the song on either a speaker or a phone. The Jam session will be open to other members of the same household who are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
4. There are three different methods the host can invite friends (both Premium and Free users):
Activating Bluetooth and tapping phones together.
Allowing friends to scan a QR code displayed on the host’s screen.
Sharing a link through various social platforms, text messages, SMS, and more.
5. From their individual devices, Jam participants may upload songs to the queue as a group, see who contributed each track, and get personalised music recommendations.
6. The host has the power to control the Jam session, including selecting participants, changing the playlist’s order, and eliminating songs that don’t fit the mood.
7. The host can also turn on “Guest controls,” which gives everyone access to edit or rearrange music. Only the host has the power to change the queue while “Guest controls” are disabled.
However, starting on September 27, 2023, “Jam” will be made available to all Spotify users, both Premium and Free, across the globe. With the help of this intriguing feature, friends and groups will be able to interact and enjoy music together in an entirely new way.
Tems has become the first female artist from Nigeria to have a project certified gold by the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America). This prestigious achievement belongs to her 2020 debut EP, “For Broken Ears.” The EP has now surpassed 500,000 units sold in the United States.
“For Broken Ears” is a 7-track project that launched Tems’ career. It includes the hit singles “Free Mind” and “Higher,” both of which became big tunes in the US.
Tems’ international fame truly skyrocketed with her collaboration with Wizkid on the global smash “Essence.” This launched her into superstardom. Singles like “Higher” and “Free Mind” continued to impress on the US charts. “Free Mind” even spent a significant amount of time on the Billboard Hot 100.
This RIAA Gold certification puts Tems in an elite category.
She joins fellow Nigerians Rema and Wizkid as the only artists from the country to have RIAA-certified projects. Wizkid’s album “Made In Lagos” and Rema’s debut album “Raves & Roses” also achieved gold status.
Tems’ hot streak is showing no signs of stopping. With her highly anticipated debut full-length album, “Born In The Wild,” dropping on June 7th, 2024, she’s poised for even more success. To keep fans buzzing, she’s already released singles like “Me & U,” “Not An Angel,” and the recent “Love Me Jeje,” which samples a classic Nigerian song by Seyi Sodimu & Shaffy Bello.
And there’s more! Tems also has a chance to add to her collection of accolades at the upcoming 2024 BET Awards. She’s nominated for both Best Video Director and Best Gospel/Inspirational Song for her work on “Me & U.” This talented singer, songwriter, and director is definitely an artist to watch!
Nigerian superstar Tems is returning to the stage on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” on May 20th, 2024. This will be her second appearance on the show. In 2021, she joined Wizkid to perform their massive hit “Essence,” which has won multiple awards.
Tems is using this appearance to promote her highly anticipated debut album, “Born In The Wild.” The album is set to drop on June 7th, 2024. So, to build excitement, she’s already released several singles. They include “Me & U,” “Not An Angel,” and her most recent, “Love Me Jeje.” “Love Me Jeje” samples a classic song by Seyi Sodimu & Shaffy Bello.
Tems’ rise to fame has been meteoric. Since her breakout collaboration with Wizkid on “Essence” in 2020, she’s become one of Africa’s biggest music stars. Her talent has landed her collaborations with global artists like Beyoncé, Drake, and Future. The latter’s “Wait For U” earned her a Grammy Award for Best Melodic Rap Performance.
On top of all that, Tems just received nominations for Best Video Director and Best Gospel/Inspirational Song for “Me & U” at the 2024 BET Awards.
This talented singer, songwriter, and now director is definitely one to watch! Don’t miss Tems performance on “The Tonight Show.” Also, keep an eye out for her debut album coming next month.
Rising star Ayra Starr is the latest Spotify EQUAL and global artist. This makes Ayra Starr the second African artist to be named both an EQUAL Africa and a global artist. Tiwa Savage is the first.
Indeed, this is a major accomplishment for Ayra Starr. She’s been making waves with her Afrobeats hits like “Rush,” “Sability,” and “Rhythm & Blues.” Spotify’s EQUAL programme is all about supporting and empowering female artists in the music industry.
In 2023 alone, Spotify ran 15 EQUAL activations, leading to over 14.8 million new artist discoveries. Additionally, EQUAL artists received a whopping 11,800 editorial playlist placements.
Ayra Starr’s latest song, “Commas,” has already racked up over 35 million streams on Spotify. She recently spoke about her unique musical style and how it’s helped her carve her own space in the industry. She also expressed her excitement about being selected for the EQUAL programme.
“I am grateful to become a Spotify EQUAL Ambassador. It means so much to me to be able to represent women in Afrobeats and African women in general. There are so many women in music right now, and the EQUAL programme is doing a great job in highlighting their hard work.”
The Grammy-nominated singer is about to drop her second album. The album is titled “The Year I Turned 21.” It is set to be released sometime this month, in May 2024.
Excerpts from the interview with Ayra Starr on the Spotify EQUAL programme:
How is the Spotify EQUAL programme significant, from your perspective?
There are so many women in music today, behind the scenes, in front of the camera, musicians, and sound engineers, all these women working hard and Spotify EQUAL is doing a great job in highlighting all their hard work.
What does this mean to you as a person, being Spotify’s EQUAL artist for the month, both from an African and Global perspective?
It means everything to me because I am a girl and I have to support my gender and level the playing field.
To someone who has never heard your music, how would you describe the sound, tone, and style?
I would describe my sound as highly vibrational, eccentric, unique, and beautiful.
Are we expecting any music from you anytime soon?
Yes. I have a new single with Seyi Vibes called ‘Bad Vibes’ and I can’t wait for you guys to hear it. It’s amazing, and it’s one of those songs that makes you feel good. The best part about it is that it’s not just a regular Afrobeat record; it’s like genres intertwined.